JAMMU: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today chaired the 19th University Council meeting of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Jammu (SKUAST-J), here in Raj Bhavan.
The Council, headed by the Lieutenant Governor, has taken several important decisions to make interventions for the advancement and development of the University and to bring about a qualitative improvement in its overall functioning.
The Lieutenant Governor led the evaluation of the impact of the University’s extension programs and activities contributing to government efforts to increase farmers’ incomes, processing in agriculture and related sectors.
SKUAST to play an important role in improving the quality of life of farmers, access to the appropriate technology, training and networks necessary to transform the agricultural landscape in UT of J&K.
Taking strict note of the delays in conducting the university’s audits in previous years, the Lieutenant Governor adopted strict instructions to conduct the audit on a regular basis, in addition to engaging the internal auditors for the financial discipline.
Problems of urgent importance must be reported so that timely action can be taken to address them, the lieutenant governor told the university administration.
The lieutenant governor advised to organize a seed producers’ conference involving farmers, local entrepreneurs and private actors from across the country to assess the quality of seeds and raise awareness among the farming community in this regard.
The lieutenant governor asked the university to focus on encouraging the extension of technology from the lab to the field and educating farmers about the latest technologies developed by the university.
Inquiring about the progress made in establishing the Advanced Horticultural Research Center in Jammu, the President was informed that efforts to stimulate high-tech cultivation of fruits had gained momentum with 70% of the work completed.
Instructions were also adopted to conduct a field assessment of the functioning of the KVKs, following the ICAR guidelines in letter and spirit, and to begin operations of sanctioned community radio stations as soon as possible.
Council members made valuable suggestions and recommendations regarding the adoption of the New Education Policy 2020; publicize the University’s projects with commercial viability and carry out extensive IEC activities so that as many beneficiaries as possible can enjoy the benefits of agriculture-related projects and programs.
Professor JP Sharma, Vice Chancellor SKUAST-J briefed the Lieutenant Governor on the achievements of faculty members and students, in addition to outreach and research activities, reforms undertaken in universities, financial systems and sectors administrative.
The meeting discussed the important items of the agenda on the recommendations of the various statutory bodies of the University, viz. SKUAST-Jammu teaching reservation and equivalent positions; sculpture of the Faculty of Horticulture of the Faculty of Agriculture and institutionalization of the BSc Horticulture program; Jammu and Kashmir rules implemented in non-teaching positions, J&K UT OS 192 and OS 184 adopted.
Ch. Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor; Ch. Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary, Finance Department; Ch. Navin Kumar Choudhary, Principal Secretary of the Government, Ministry of Agricultural Production and Farmer Welfare; Ch. Nitishwar Kumar, Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor; Ms. Mandeep Kaur, Government Commissioner / Secretary, Department of Planning, Development and Monitoring; Teacher. PL Gautam, Pro Chancellor, CPU Hamirpur; Dr MC Sharma, Former Director and VC ICAR, -IVRI, Bareilly, UP; Dr Jag Paul Sharma, SKUAST-J Registrar; Professor Gul Zaffar, Registrar SKUAST-K and other relevant officials remained present during the meeting.
